Chapter 659 - 548: [Phantom Leap]! Hidden Profession: [Night Blade]

Chapter 659: Chapter 548: [Phantom Leap]! Hidden Profession: [Night Blade]

’Synergy, Compatibility? A full ninety-nine percent?’

Even with Roland’s steady mind, a flicker of astonishment passed through him as he read the words before him.

In his understanding, the ancient tome *Path of the Wood Talker: The Ranger and the Natural Covenant* did mention a way to measure the compatibility between a Contractor and their partner.

The book divided this intangible bond into several levels, which it clearly recorded.

Those who could consistently reach sixty percent compatibility could achieve a basic mental connection, allowing for seamless cooperation in ordinary hunting and sentry duty. This was already considered rare.

Reaching seventy percent allowed for simple tactical responses in battle, and such individuals could be called experts among Rangers.

A compatibility exceeding eighty percent was almost like an extension of one’s own body; a single glance or a subtle gesture was enough to convey complex intentions.

Such pairs often became legends in their own right. The book recorded only a handful of such cases, all of whom were granted honorific titles like "Shadow of the Forest" or "Soul of Coexistence."

And yet, he and Black Wind, upon first forming their covenant and fighting together for the first time, were rated at ninety-nine percent?

This was practically on the verge of theoretical "perfect synergy." It meant that in battle, there was virtually no information loss or reaction delay. The intentions and actions of both sides could seamlessly connect and complement each other at a near-instinctual speed.

After the initial surprise, it only took a moment for a clear answer to form in Roland’s mind.

The root of this seemingly outrageous level of compatibility might lie precisely in a past that was profound yet ordinary, one almost buried by time and change.

Black Wind was no strange Magic Pet met along the way.

He was the mount gifted by his close friend Dalko back in the Black Water Territory, the one who had accompanied him through his early years of adventure.

As Roland’s own Power grew rapidly and he faced increasingly higher-level enemies, it was true that an ordinary horse had no place in the later Extraordinary battles that could shatter mountains and split the earth. Black Wind’s figure gradually faded from the battlefield.

But outside of battle, in their daily lives, Roland had never once slighted or neglected him for his "lack of power."

He often took care of the daily brushing, feeding, and exercising himself, personally checking his horseshoes and saddle.

Whether practicing his Riding Skill, galloping over long distances, or crossing complex terrain for reconnaissance or travel, Black Wind was always his most trusted partner.

For years, through dawn and dusk, through wind, rain, and clear skies, their steps had crossed wastelands, forest paths, and shallow streams.

The sense of familiarity, cultivated over many years to the point of becoming almost a physical instinct, was long since deeply ingrained in Roland’s Perception and muscle memory.

In terms of sheer "time spent together," Black Wind far surpassed any of his humanoid companions.

What’s more, the current Black Wind had undergone an incredible transformation. His intelligence was now no different from that of a young human, capable of instantly understanding complex commands, tactical intentions, and even abstract concepts.

Their former physical coordination, now combined with a direct mental link and superior intelligence, resonated and fused, creating a chemical reaction where one plus one was greater than two. It was no longer difficult to understand.

This seemingly absurdly high [Synergy/Compatibility], when traced back to its roots, actually seemed logical and natural.

It hadn’t appeared from nowhere. It was the splendid and powerful flower that had bloomed from the deep bond forged through ordinary years past, blossoming after a twist of fate and a leap in Power.

Thinking of this, Roland couldn’t help but recall the scene of Black Wind in battle just now, and his heart filled with admiration.

This Nightmare partner, transformed from his beloved steed of the past, had displayed a combat talent that was nothing short of stunning.

It wasn’t just brute force and speed. He perfectly combined the cunning of Shadow Manipulation, the intangible might of Spiritual Suppression, and a keen grasp of battlefield timing.

Whether it was the cunning stabs of shadow tendrils, the precise dismantling of enemy morale with Spiritual Suppression, or the agility to evade fatal attacks using Shadow Phase Movement, he displayed a tactical acumen and combat intelligence far beyond that of an ordinary Nightmare.

And all of this was accomplished without Roland actively triggering any mount-related Traits or Extra Benefits.

It was foreseeable that if they went all out, the power they could unleash by fighting together would surely leap to an exciting new level.

Just as Roland’s heart stirred at the thought of future combat combinations, the familiar golden glow reappeared silently in his vision, and new lines of text materialized one by one.

[Host detected to have reached 99% Synergy/Compatibility with recognized ’partner’]

[Host detected to have formed a stable ’Natural Covenant’ with partner ’Black Wind (Nightmare Form)’ via an ancient nature ritual.]

[Analyzing contract depth...]

[Analysis complete.]

[Based on the life essence and talent inclinations of contract partner ’Black Wind,’ the Host has obtained the following benefits]

[Attribute Affinity: Space-Time]

[Host detected to already possess Attribute Affinity: Space-Time]

[Fusing and generating an exclusive synergy Trait based on the contract partner’s characteristics and the Host’s existing ability profile...]

[Trait generation complete]

[Acquired synergy Trait: Shadowy Shadow Jump]

[Shadowy Shadow Jump: While within a certain distance of partner ’Black Wind’ (current limit approximately thirty feet), and with both parties relatively stationary or able to exert force in sync, the Host can leverage Black Wind’s temporary anchor to the Shadow Plane and their own Space-Time Affinity to execute a "jump" over an extremely short distance, nearly ignoring conventional spatial obstacles.]

[The jump’s trajectory will prioritize existing shadow paths or points of spatial weakness to achieve instantaneous relocation. This Trait consumes a small amount of Spiritual Power and stamina from both parties, requires a brief channeling period, cannot be used consecutively in a short time, and its effect and range may be enhanced in environments with dense Shadow or unstable space.]

[This is a product of the resonance between your bond, covenant, and unique talents—a battlefield dance that belongs only to you and Black Wind.]

The golden text slowly faded from his consciousness, but the subtle sensation brought by the new Trait, [Shadowy Shadow Jump], was like a pebble dropped into the lake of his mind, creating clear ripples that lingered on and on.

Roland stood still, not moving immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, carefully sensing the new, faint connection between his body and the space around him.

It wasn’t sight or touch, but more of an "intuition" originating from the depths of his soul. It allowed him to faintly "feel" the "texture" and "flow" of the surrounding space, especially in areas thick with Shadow and at those indescribable nodes where space itself seemed "thinner" or "warped."

And within this perception, Black Wind’s presence was like a stable and familiar "anchor point"—a coordinate he could trust and borrow power from.

’A short-range jump that nearly ignores conventional spatial obstacles...’

Roland mulled over this description in his mind, combining it with the spatial awareness he had just experienced to quickly analyze the ability’s strategic value.

First, extreme tactical flexibility.

In the ever-changing flux of Extraordinary combat, a difference of millimeters in positioning could often decide life and death.

Whether it was evading the core of an area-of-effect Magic spell, dodging the edge of a fatal sneak attack, or suddenly cutting into an enemy’s weak flank, [Shadowy Shadow Jump] provided a method of movement that surpassed conventional means. It was far more unpredictable and cunning, enough to catch any opponent who relied on prediction off guard.

Second, a powerful guarantee of survival.

When facing a devastating attack that couldn’t be blocked, a desperate encirclement, or a dangerous situation requiring an instant escape, a well-timed [Shadowy Shadow Jump] could very well be the key to turning the tide between life and death.

It shared its cost and channeling with Black Wind, meaning Roland wouldn’t have to bear the immense burden alone. Furthermore, its link to his partner’s position made their tactical options even more diverse.

Third, it was a perfect complement and multiplier for Black Wind’s abilities.

Black Wind excelled at creating and manipulating shadow environments, and his innate shadow-jumping talent was already extremely threatening.

On top of this, [Shadowy Shadow Jump] added Roland’s own Space-Time Affinity, achieving a more precise and even more bizarre "pinpoint" jump.

During a fight, Black Wind could disrupt the enemy formation with shadow tendrils while creating panic with Spiritual Suppression. Meanwhile, in the next moment, Roland could suddenly appear from a completely unexpected shadowy corner or spatial rift to deliver a fatal blow.

This kind of coordination would take the concept of "unpredictability" to its absolute limit.

Finally, its growth potential.

The Trait’s description mentioned that "its effect and range may be enhanced in environments with dense Shadow or unstable space," which meant this Trait possessed an extremely high ceiling.

All in all, [Shadowy Shadow Jump] was by no means a simple movement Skill.

It was a comprehensive strategic ability that integrated tactical deception, survival assurance, attack enhancement, and environmental adaptation. Its value would be especially prominent in duels between experts and in complex, perilous situations.

Just as Roland was immersed in a deep analysis of [Shadowy Shadow Jump]’s strategic value, the golden glow in his vision, which had not yet fully dissipated, suddenly brightened. It flowed and converged, revealing new, clearly structured text.

[Based on the life essence and talent inclinations of contract partner ’Black Wind (Nightmare Form),’ the Host has obtained the following benefits]

[Attribute Affinity: Shadow]

[Host detected to already possess Attribute Affinity: Shadow]

Immediately after, the golden light seemed to be injected with life, beginning to flash rapidly and search.

[Host detected to possess related Traits/abilities... Comparing relevance...]

In an instant, the numerous ability entries he had obtained in the past related to Shadow, stealth, and Cunning appeared clearly before Roland’s eyes, row by row, as if strung together by invisible threads.

[Host detected to possess Trait: Touch of Profound Darkness]

[Host detected to possess Trait: Shadow Dance Form]

[Host detected to possess Trait: Master of Shadows]

[Host detected to possess...]

...

These abilities, originating from his Professional Panel, seemed to resonate under the golden light. The boundaries between them blurred, showing a faint tendency to merge.

After a few breaths, all the text that had appeared came to a sudden halt. Then, like a sand painting scattered by the wind, it rapidly dispersed, faded, and finally melted completely into the golden glow.

However, the light did not go out.

It contracted inward and condensed, as if undergoing a process of refinement and reforging.

Finally, new text—more solid, as if possessing a certain heavy texture—slowly materialized in the center of Roland’s vision.

[Following comprehensive detection and relevance assessment...]

[The completeness of the Host’s existing Shadow System ability profile, combat application compatibility, and potential development level... have all reached a specific threshold.]

[Specific conditions met.]

[Hidden Profession available: Night Blade]